Creating a platform for 300 postgraduate studentsand emerging researchers to connect, exchange knowledge, and share innovative research projects. The symposium will align with the NRF’s 2030 vision of “Research for a Better Society.”

23 - 25 October 2024 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, South Africa

About the Event

Why the symposium is being held and its goals

The aim of the symposium will be to provide the next generation and emerging researchers funded by the NRF with a platform that offers varied opportunities to network, create local and global workforce connections, exchange knowledge, share the latest groundbreaking insights on topics of interest and thought-provoking research projects in relation to the NRF’s 2030 vision Research for a Better Society and aligned to the thematic areas in the DSI decadal plan. The objectives of the symposium are to develop and support the next generation and emerging researchers through the following:

The 2024 symposium is expected to bring together a diverse group more than 300 delegates, featuring the next generation and emerging researchers funded by the NRF; stakeholders from South African universities and across the National System of Innovation (NSI); senior NRF executives; A and B-rated NRF researchers; and industry leaders who will provide invaluable support. The target audience will be the emerging researchers, i.e. postgraduate students, postdoctoral Fellows, and other researchers in the early stages of their careers, and undergraduate students interested in postgraduate studies and/or seeking to explore research/networking opportunities.

How does the Symposium align with the NRF's 2030 vision?

The South African PhD Project was established in November 2007 with the intention to increase the number and diversity of South Africans holding research Doctorates. At inception, the SA PhD Project was not intended to be a funding programme but rather:

The SA PhD Project was established as one of the drivers for achieving the long-term objective of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the NRF to substantially increase the number of Doctoral graduates in support of the National Development plan 2030. This supports the NRF Vision 2030 of Excellence: The foundation that sets the standard to uphold excellence through investing in quality research, capable researchers and postgraduate students.

Why attend the next generation and emerging researchers symposium?

The Next Generation and Emerging Researchers Symposium, hosted by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa, offers a valuable platform for postgraduate students and emerging researchers to advance their careers and connect with the broader research community. Here's why you should consider attending:

Networking and Collaboration:
Skill Development:
Career Advancement:
Knowledge Exchange:
Impact and Contribution:

If you're a postgraduate student or emerging researcher in South Africa, attending the Next Generation and Emerging Researchers Symposium can be a significant step in your professional development and research career.

The Next Generation and Emerging Researchers Symposium aims to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Develop and support the next generation and emerging researchers through:
2. Create a platform for postgraduate students and emerging researchers to connect, exchange knowledge, and share innovative research projects.
3. Align with the NRF's 2030 vision “research for a better society” and the thematic areas in the DSI decal plan.
4. Provide awareness sessions on:

Overall, the symposium aims to empower the next generation of researchers, foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, and promote research excellence in South Africa.

Get the Latest Info on the Symposium

Event Date

23 - 25 October 2024

Event Location

Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre

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The Annual Post Graduate Student Funding

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Speakers

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Professor Keolebogile Motaung, CEO of Global Health Biotech

Professor Keolebogile Motaung is a Full Professor, Biomedical Scientist and Founder and CEO of Global Health Biotech (PTY) Ltd with more than 25 years’ experience in Higher Education. Prof Motaung is a well-established scientist with international recognition in her field of stem cell research, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and is the president of the African Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (ATERMIS). She has published extensively in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Prof Motaung is passionate about capacity building, having successfully supervised postgraduate students, and continues mentoring emerging researchers. She is passionate about science, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and commercialisation of research, often assisting the DSI in redefining international relations for women in STEM research.

As a professor, research scientist and entrepreneur, she trains her postgraduate students not just on how to do research and become a scientist, but also on how to become entrepreneurs. By becoming entrepreneurs, they can create jobs for themselves after completion of their studies at a time when jobs are scarce and unemployment is high. Based on her own scientific exploration into the use of medicinal plants in tissue engineering of bone and cartilage, she founded a company, Global Health Biotech (PTY) Ltd, in 2016. Global Health Biotech has developed a natural anti-inflammatory ointment named La-Africa Soother (LAS) from medicinal plants which helps relieve muscle and joint aches, thus offering athletes, sportsmen and women an alternative natural anti-inflammatory. This is the first product of its kind aimed at preventative care, i.e. it is applied before and after physical activity to prevent anticipated muscle aches. This product, packaged in a green and white tube, is already available on the market. Motaung has also licensed technology from other universities to develop a second product named Pump Protein Shake (vegan friendly and plant-based). The product simultaneously leads to decreased muscle inflammation, which leads to accelerated regeneration and may be more effective as an anti-inflammatory agent than known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and with less side effect. For her ground-breaking innovation and for having thrown down the gauntlet in bridging the gap between science, commercialisation and entrepreneurship, she has received recognition from a wide range of institutions.

 

 

Fostering research integrity: Dr Lyn Horn, University of Cape Town

Dr Horn is the Director of the Office of Research Integrity at the University of Cape Town and Extraordinary (Honorary) Associate Professor in the Centre for Applied Ethics at Stellenbosch University. She has a diverse academic background, with degrees in Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Child Health, Research Ethics and Philosophy.

She is a medical doctor with a PhD in Bioethics. She worked as a clinician in the public health sector for the first twenty years of her career before moving to academia in 2004. Since 2004, she has taught research ethics and bioethics at her home institutions. In her current position at UCT she is actively involved in the promotion and facilitation of the responsible conduct of research across the entire university and provides support to several faculty and senate-level research ethics committees She is also involved in the investigations of breaches in research ethics and integrity.

Dr Horn has been actively involved in the promotion of fairness and equity in global research. She played a significant role in the development of the Cape Town Statement on Foresting Research Integrity Through Fairness and Equity, which aims to address inequities in research partnerships between high-income and lower and middle-income countries.

USAf Thuso Resources and Thuso Connect: Professor Stephanie Burton, Universities South Africa

Professor Stephanie Burton is a Professor in Biochemistry, and Professor at Future Africa at the University of Pretoria, as well as the immediate past Vice-Principal for Research and Postgraduate Education at UP, having served in that role from 2011 to 2020.

She is the President and a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa (RSSA); Vice-President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); a Research Fellow for Universities South Africa (USAf); and the Chairperson of the Future Earth Regional Office for Southern Africa (FEROSA).

She holds an MSc in Organic Chemistry and a PhD in Biochemistry from Rhodes University. Her academic career started in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Rhodes University, and then as Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. She served as Director of Postgraduate Studies and Director of the Biocatalysis and Technical Biology Group at Cape Peninsula University of Technology before her appointment to the UP Executive. Her research interests are in sustainability, applied biochemistry and biotechnology, and she has published widely and supervised numerous postgraduate students.

Prof Burton has a strong interest in research ethics and integrity, and recently gave numerous colloquia in this area. She is recognised for her leadership and expertise in research strategy, research management, and performance, postgraduate training, innovation activities, open science and science communication initiatives, and internationalisation programmes. She is currently coordinating national projects on mentoring and capacity development for early career academics, on behalf of USAf and serves on several national and international bodies related to research and Doctoral training.

 

 

Research commercialisation: Mr. Dayanandan Naidoo, Technology Innovation Agency

Dayanandan Naidoo holds an MBA degree, with studies in Electrical and Chemical Engineering and is the Head of the Natural Resources and Energy Business Units at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in South Africa. He has a robust background in both electrical and chemical engineering, having held senior positions at major South African companies, such as Eskom and Sasol. His expertise spans across various engineering disciplines, which has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector.

At Eskom, he was involved in projects related to electricity generation and distribution while, at Sasol, he worked on chemical engineering projects focused on energy and resource management. His diverse experience has been instrumental in his current role at TIA where he leads initiatives to commercialise technologies that address South Africa’s energy challenges. He is the Chairman of University of Johannesburg Industry FEBE Advisory Board, member of eNtsa Board and Committee member of UNESCO. He participates in various steering committees covering water, hydrogen, e-mobility, green technologies and waste.

Research and IP Management: Mr Thabang Qumza, University of Johannesburg

Thabang Qumza holds an MBA, B-Tech in Chemistry, and MSc in Technology & Innovation Management. He has over 17 years of experience across various industries including technology transfer, oil and petrochemical, technology development funding, strategy consulting, energy, paints and coatings, and automotive.

His roles have included Associate Strategy Consultant, Project & Process Engineer, Lab Chemist, Technical Advisor in NPD, Commercialisation Specialist, Technology Innovation Cluster Programme Manager, and is currently a Commercialisation Manager. Additionally, since 2016, he has mentored and coached start-up businesses at the Innovation Hub Biopark.

He has 10 years of experience in teaching and research. He is a Registered Candidate Civil Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and an Associate Member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). In December 2019, he chaired a session at the Science Forum South Africa entitled 4IR – Opportunities, challenges and inequality.

Thabang has supervised more than 15 civil engineering final year students (B.Eng). In 2021, one of the projects he supervised won the first prize at Falling Walls Lab Johannesburg and represented South Africa in the global competition in Germany. His research interests are in the fields of water engineering (open channel discharge, flow patterns, leak detection, etc), simulations (finite element methods and computational fluid dynamics), engineering education (use of technology for teaching and learning), and the fourth industrial revolution (impact on society and industry).

Tracey October-Vilakazi has been in several roles within Clarivate, operating in the Government and academic space, since May 2015, and is passionate about the role that science, technology and innovation can play in Africa’s development. From 2019 she was asked to lead Clarivate’s sub-Saharan African team.

She works with research-centred institutions, to assist them in increasing their research output and impact, and drive innovation. One of the key areas of focus in her work is to increase collaboration between institutions and develop consortia relationships.

Tracey obtained a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Vrij University Brussels and Universite Libre de Bruxelles respectively.

Science engagement and engaged research: Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia, National Research Foundation

Dr Mosia spearheads the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) in her position as Managing Director, where she works towards the unit’s mandate to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) in South Africa.

Dr Mosia is well qualified for the position, having completed a PhD in Chemistry from the Technical University of Eindhoven in the Netherlands and an MComm in Leadership Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also has extensive experience from the decade she spent at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in various management and leadership roles.

Research impact: Dr Genevieve Simpson, National Research Foundation

Dr Simpson is the acting Head of Research, Analysis and Advice at the National Research Foundation. She led the team that developed the NRF’s framework to advance the impact of research and is guiding implementation across the organisation. The directorate’s work includes research and analysis of trends in the higher education sector in South Africa, as well as globally, to inform NRF strategies, policies, and advice. She was also part of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the feasibility of making high education and training fee-free in South Africa. In previous roles, she contributed to a national review of higher education in South Africa and has worked and developed policy in the area of university research subsidies.

Presidential PhD Programme: Dr Sepo Hachigonta, National Research Foundation

Dr Hachigonta has research interests are in transdisciplinary fields as well as Africa’s science, technology and innovation policy landscape.

He has played a significant role in developing open science and systems analysis expertise to address current global challenges through various programmes, including the Southern African Systems Analysis Centre, a multi-year initiative that supports systems analysis interventions in Africa, and the Africa Open Science Platform, a pan-Africa initiative which aims to position African scientists at the cutting edge of data-intensive science. He has spearheaded Africa’s participation in regional and international bodies, including the Science Granting Council Initiative, the International Science Council and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis.

He has published widely and authored, co-authored and edited more than 60 articles and books and has established extensive networks on the continent and globally. His expertise includes stakeholder engagement with the public and private sectors through networking, cultivating and nurturing strategic partnerships across the continent, globe and sectors.

Dr Hachigonta holds a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Environmental Science from the University of Cape Town.

Mr. Daniel Ndima is a scientist who specializes in structural biology of infectious diseases. He is trained in protein engineering and crystallography, bioprocess engineering and biomanufacturing. He has a Bachelor & Honours degrees in Biotechnology (University of the Western Cape) and a Masters degree in Structural Biology of infectious diseases) from University of Pretoria. Throughout his academic journey, he was awarded multiple awards and scholarships for his excellence in academics, social responsibility, student leadership, and entrepreneurial initiatives. He is a fellow at Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. This Fellowship provides WEBINAR The Role of Traditional Medicine in Modern Healthcare Systems education beyond a degree, offering 360 degrees of entrepreneurial training to ensure that Fellows create value through responsible entrepreneurship, see entrepreneurship as a viable career path, are able to take an idea and develop it into a viable opportunity. Daniel is a Scholar at Mandela Rhodes Foundation (Class of 2015). He is also a Brightest Young Minds (BYM2016) Alumnus. He founded 3 (three) star-ups as an undergraduate student and was subsequently awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Award.

In 2020, he was listed as one of African Influencers for Change by UNDP Africa. A careers1825 Role Model and featured on Africa Innovates Magazine. He participated in various panel discussions on Pandemics including the South African National Coronavirus Conference chaired by Minister of Science and Innovation – with the President and WHO Director as some of the speakers. He participated in United Nations’ dialogue on African Readiness to combat COVID-19. He is a Mail & Guardian Top 200 South African 2021 Winner under Science and Technology category. Daniel strongly advocates for science that creates jobs, improve quality of ordinary lives, contributes to national development and the economy. Daniel has worked at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) towards the commercialization of technologies as a technologist and business developer for CapeBio project.

Daniel is the Founder and CEO of CapeBio Technologies (CapeBio), a South African biotech company that manufacturers molecular biology reagents, enzymes and kits for diagnostics, forensic DNA analysis and other life science applications. CapeBio recently developed a SAHPRA approved PCR testing kit for the Coronavirus detection and expanding its diagnostics research, development and manufacturing for diseases prone to Africa – and the world.

Dr Takalani Mpofu is a Senior Lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Animal Sciences as well as the TUT’s Animal Research Ethics Chairperson. Dr Mpofu who holds a PhD in Science (Animal Production) with a specialisation in Animal Health and Genetics from TUT, recently received a Y2 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

His PhD thesis explored the health status of the indigenous goat populations owned by small-holder farmers against gastro-intestinal parasite infections using the coprological (in medicine and biology, coprology or scatology is the study of faces to determine a wide range of biological information about a creature) and hematological (study of the physiology of the blood) examination, which earned him a 2020 TUT Doctoral Student of the Year Award. During his PhD at TUT, he received an Erasmus+ mobility grant wherein he visited and studied at the Warsaw University of Lifesciences (WULS) in Poland. Dr Mpofu’s work in Animal Sciences earned him a 2021 Young Researcher of the Year Award in the TUT’s Faculty of Science, while he was awarded the NRF-Thuthuka grant under the Post-PhD track in 2023.

In 2017, Dr Mpofu joined TUT as an intern, then a Postgraduate Student Assistant and a part-time Lecturer in 2020. In 2021, he was permanently employed as a Lecturer followed by a promotion to Senior Lecturer in 2022. Prior to joining TUT, he worked as a Natural and Life Sciences Educator at the New Generation Girls Academy and also as a Livestock Manager at Elimark farm.

Dr Mpofu has authored and co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 30 conference proceedings. He currently supervises 13 Masters and PhD students while he teaches Animal Science Research at Postgraduate Diploma level and Small Stock Production to senior Diploma students. Dr Mpofu serves as a Technical Advisor and Peer Review Panel for the NRF and is also a reviewer of several DHET Accredited peer-reviewed journals.

Mr. Brian Mphahlele is the Executive Commercialisation at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in South Africa. He plays a key role in driving the commercialisation of innovative technologies, supporting the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Steering Committee

Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Dr Gugu Moche

Group Executive: Digital Transformation and Acting Deputy CEO: Research, Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA)

Mr Bishen Singh

Group Executive: Finance and Supply Chain Management

Dr Thandi Mgwebi

Group Executive: Business Advancement

Mr Kedirang Oagile

Group Executive: Corporate Services

Dr Angus Paterson

Deputy CEO: National Research Infrastructure Platform (NRIP)

Organising Committee

Who should apply?

All those currently funded by the NRF in these categories:

Final-year Doctoral Students

Click here to submit applications

Postdoctoral Fellows

Click here to submit applications

Early Career Researchers

Click here to submit applications

Submit Applications Closed

Submit applications (including abstracts) via NRF Connect (https://nrfconnect.nrf.ac.za); oral and poster presenters are welcome to participate. Successful applicants will have all their basic expenditures, including travel and accommodation, covered.

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SCAN QR code for access to NRF Connect

Venue Location

Event Sponsors

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NRF Partners for the Global Knowledge Partnerships

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NRF Partners for Postgraduate Student Funding

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